FT. MYERS, Florida – It has been a long trek for Columbus native and 2014 East grad Peyton Gray. After high school and college, he has pitched professionally in several minor league locations, an Independent League team, and two different Mexican League clubs.
The hard work has paid off. Last Thursday, he signed with the team he rooted for growing up, the Cincinnati Reds.
In 2020, as the closer for an Independent League team in Milwaukee, he didn’t give up a run for the entire season and was named the league’s “Relief Pitcher of the Year.”
He signed with the Kansas City Royals in 2021 and hurled on three of their minor league clubs until he was hurt and had Tommy John surgery. He pitched in Mexico in late 2022 and returned to Milwaukee this summer.
From October until last week, Gray played for Guasave in the Mexican Winter League and notched 17 saves in 17 attempts while once again not allowing an earned run. He also threw an Immaculate Inning; 9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 strikeouts.
The Reds were noticing. After signing late last week, he left Guasave to head to his home in Ft. Myers to prepare for 2024. He reports to the Reds’ Spring Training camp in Goodyear, Arizona in February.
He doesn’t know his assignment yet, but will probably start the year in Louisville (AAA) or Chattanooga (AA). Peyton Gray might soon be striking out batters at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
